<p>Penn is very flexible in terms of double majoring. It would probably require an immense amount of work and a pretty substantial drop in the engineering GPA to be able to produce good architecture work though.</p>
<p>I don't know anyone who has gotten a dual degree with engineering. However, I do know many who have gotten an undergraduate degree from Wharton and architecture. It really did put a heavy strain on them though, and they couldn't devote the time they wanted to the architecture projects.</p>
<p>snipanlol....you are talking about what I was suggesting basically....combining a BA in architecture with an engineering degree. Penn's undergraduate arch program is a BA. It seems that Lori is firm about wanting to do a BArch and somehow combine THAT with an undergraduate engineering degree.....two highly intensive and heavy amount of coursework degrees that each go beyond a normal BA major requirement. I do think she may wish to look at undergraduate BA in arch programs if she wants to also study engineering and then do a MArch later.</p>
<p>My daughter got into both Penn and Tufts to study architecture which is a BA degree. At Tufts, she could have also major or minored in Architectural Engineering if she wanted or vice versa in Architectural Studies. At Tufts, you can do a double major of engineering with something else. Also, they have Architectural Engineering which combines both of Lori's interests. My D didn't end up going to Penn or Tufts, but this route might be appropriate for Lori.</p>
<p>Lori,
to answer your question:
LAC = Liberal Arts College. Miami stresses the Liberal Arts type of education (well-rounded, focused on teaching rather than research, etc.) To me, Miami's architecture program is a cross between the 5 year bachelors degree programs and a typical LAC type degree. Their 4 year degree leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. Before sitting for the Architectural exam, their 4 year degree is not enough. In addition to the IDP program of work experience, you must add 2 years in an accredited Masters program (at Miami or elsewhere). However, unlike the Architecture program at Tufts, or Barnard, or Brown for example, Miami's program is very studio-focused. The first year is general design, but the remaining year studios are concentrated in architecture or interior design, and is quite similar to the format in a 5 year Bachelor's program, with regard to studio work.</p>
<p>I was surprised to hear that someone from UMich could not get into a graduate program elsewhere, especially because of the general reputation of UMich. However, I don't know anything about UMich. architecture program. Does UMich not have a 2 year masters degree?</p>
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Does UMich not have a 2 year masters degree?
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<p>they do.. and the girl that couldn't get in anywhere else actually works for the same company i work for. my boss (the head architecture dude) told me about her.. thats why he thinks the 5year plan might be better... they hired her last summer.. don't know where she is now...</p>
<p>i cannot imagine having to do an architecture thesis and take engineering courses at the same time. just the thought of that is unbearably painful</p>
<p>Lori - I'm from the engineering forum and might be able to shed some light on the situation.
If I can add something - I believe it would be close to impossible to complete a double major in these two perspective fields within anywhere near 4 years for dual bachelors. Not to mention, CivE and Arch differ Immensely. Structural Engineering alone usually requires a masters to get a real comprehensive understanding of the theory that goes into putting up these massive pieces of architecture. </p>
<p>Not to mention, that your career would benefit minimally by obtaining a degree in CivE, and Arch as well. Architects do their thing. Engineers do theirs. They are two completely different breed and differ very much in profession. </p>
<p>CivE may be one of the least "intense" (lets put it that way for now) of the engineering majors; all engineering students regardless of discipline take the same classes throughout freshman & sophomore year - This is difficult enough for most students. A lot of engineering students take 4 1/2 or 5 years to complete the 130+ credits required for engineering degrees. Now take that into consideration, plus the two majors don't have very many classes that meet each others requirements = not very practical, not at all. </p>
<p>One more thing, if you overwhelm yourself with a double major, especially with Arch considering how intensive Arch programs are, you would be robbing yourself of the creativity you need to excel exuberantly in architecture due to time restrictions. You will not find Architectural inspiration doing problem sets and studying the physical properties of reinforced concrete. Take it from a CivE major who has had a profuse fascination with MDU/ large office buildings and real estate development since the age of about 5.</p>
<p>Lori- I think your answer is staring you in the face. I know at this point it seems impossible to chose, and that very well might be the case, however you are going to have to make a decision some time in the near future. It is impractical to believe you will be able to do both without one of your studies suffering. If you are like me- which it sounds like you might be, you are just a little on the stubborn side. Take a few weeks or even your first year in college to figure out which one you want to proceed in and then make a commitment. Understand that no one here is saying all this to try and discourage you in any way and that it may be possible to do what you want. Yet I would advise you to open your mind to the possibility that you may be happier and more successful if you truly think about what you are trying to gain from your degree before committing to your current plan.</p>
<p>Just because the person who did undergrad at UMich didn't get into the MArch program there, doesn't mean that that route is not a viable one. I have a kid who is doing a BA in arch, not a BArch, and is applying to MArch programs, possibly including UMich. While I obviously do not know her outcome yet, peers of hers from her college who did a BA in Arch Studies have gained admission to MArch programs such as Harvard and Columbia and Berkeley. So, I would not go by the one example you were told about. </p>
<p>You could do a BA in architecture as an undergrad or a degree in civil engineering or arch engineering (taking some courses or a possible minor in architecture - BA - as well) and then go onto a MArch degree program. </p>
<p>For someone who is a bit undecided, a BA path may be perfect for you.</p>
<p>If you are interested in schools in NYC: Cooper Union, private school that offers free tuition to all accepted students. Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.</p>
<p>NYC has many other schools. City College of New York - which is a very good school for sciences and engineering amongst others - CCNY is one of the only public schools on the east cost that offer Arch</p>
<p>UriA- actually there's also NJIT, NYIT, SUNY (at least Buffalo if not other campuses), UMaryland, UVA, VTech, UGa, UFla, Florida International (think this one's public anyway).... a lot more than just CCNY.</p>
<p>Lori...pardon my boldness but I get the feeling you are being unduly influenced by your current boss and colleagues. I don't know where you are working but it cannot be one of the top architecture firms because no design-oriented architect would ever encourage you to pursue that double major. The whole double major thing is a phase that many students go through. I've never seen a top architecture student pursue a second degree. </p>
<p>I wouldn't be interested in hiring a double arch/eng major. I'd be worried that the conservatism you learned in engineering school would impede your performance in my office. I tolerate the impediments the myriad of engineers throw at me all day long--barely. I don't need that mindset in my office 24/7. Likewise, I don't think they would be thrilled to have me in their offices wrecking havoc with my non-linear thinking, haha. </p>
<p>I also believe you misunderstood the admissions person at Cornell. I've never met a double major from Cornell. The architecture program is too tough--and too good to make those kind of allowances, frankly.</p>
<p>While I can't speak for what is possible at Cornell pe se......It seems to me that a BArch (which is what Cornell offers) is not like a BA and would entail more courses in the major than a BA......perhaps 2/3's of one's coursework. Likewise, an engineering degree is not like a BA in that it requires more courses in the major than a BA major does, perhaps something like 2/3's of one's coursework. Doing the math.....2/3 + 2/3 seems impossible to fit into a college schedule. On top of that, most BArch or Engineering majors have a little bit of liberal arts requirements to fulfill which would be impossible if 2/3's of one's classes are satifsying the BArch major and 2/3's of one's classes is satisfying the Engineering major....and well, it seems impossible to create such a class schedule and graduate with this double major (forget how much work it would be but I am just talking logistically). Both degrees are specialized degrees, not BA degrees. Perhaps an engineering major OR an BArch major could handle a minor or another major if the other one was a BA (still difficult but possible at some schools) but I can't see a double major between two specialized professional degree programs that have requirements that go beyond what a BA major entails in the amount of courses to fulfill each major.</p>